Communication Pathways Between Families, Healthcare Teams, and Infants in the NICU: A Narrative

Ayhan Çeri; Nazli Dilay Gültekin

doi:10.7197/cmj.1835972

EN TR

Communication Pathways Between Families, Healthcare Teams, and Infants in the NICU: A Narrative

Abstract

Effective communication in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is central to Family-Centered Care (FCC), shaping how parents understand their infant’s condition, engage in shared decision-making, and form therapeutic partnerships with the healthcare team. Grounded in communication theory, this narrative review explores the triadic interaction among families, healthcare professionals, and infants, emphasizing how information exchange, relational communication, and emotional attunement influence clinical processes and parental experiences. The review synthesizes international and national literature to highlight recurrent communication challenges, including fragmented information flow, limited parental inclusion in care discussions, and variability in professional communication skills. Drawing on FCC principles, we identify evidence-based strategies that strengthen communication effectiveness, such as structured communication tools, routine family meetings, digital information platforms, parent-reported experience measures, and nurse-led relational support. These interventions enhance parental empowerment, reduce anxiety, and contribute to improved continuity and quality of care. The Turkish NICU context is also considered, underscoring the cultural and systemic factors that shape family engagement and communication expectations. Overall, this review demonstrates that communication is not merely a clinical task but a relational process that underpins FCC and supports the emotional well-being of families navigating the NICU environment. Strengthening communication pathways can promote safer, more collaborative, and developmentally supportive neonatal care.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Non-Applicable

Ethical Statement

The manuscript entitled “Enhancing Family–Healthcare Team Communication in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Narrative Review”, which was submitted to your journal by our team, is a narrative review based solely on a comprehensive literature analysis and does not involve any research conducted on human or animal subjects. Therefore, ethical approval is not required for this study.

Thanks

Non-Applicable

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Ayhan Çeri ^*
0000-0002-8754-0901
Türkiye

Nazli Dilay Gültekin
0000-0002-9624-1954
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 31, 2026

Submission Date

December 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 1, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 48 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7197/cmj.1835972

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25ZJ29CG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

AMA

1.Çeri A, Gültekin ND. Communication Pathways Between Families, Healthcare Teams, and Infants in the NICU: A Narrative. CMJ. 2026;48(1):1-7. doi:10.7197/cmj.1835972

Communication Pathways Between Families, Healthcare Teams, and Infants in the NICU: A Narrative

Communication Pathways Between Families, Healthcare Teams, and Infants in the NICU: A Narrative

Abstract

Keywords

Yenidoğan Yoğun Bakım Ünitelerinde Aile, Sağlık Ekibi ve Bebek Arasındaki İletişim Yolları: Anlatısal Bir Derleme

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

Supporting Institution

Ethical Statement

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Publication Date

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Published in Issue

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Cite